CAPPADOCIA (Kapadokya)
It's
name was probably derived from Katpatuka, land of the beautiful horses,
in Hittite language. Cappadocia is generally regarded
as the plains and the mountainous region of eastern
central
Anatolia around the upper and middle reaches of the river Kizilirmak
(Red River). It was here that several ancient highways crossed and different
cultures came into contact with each other. It was also the land of the
Hittites. The sparsely inhabited landscape of Cappadocia
is characterized by red sandstone and salt deposits of the Miocene (Tertiary)
period. However, the relatively small areas of fertile soil on volcanic
tuff is where the population tends to concentrate. This southern part of
Cappadocia, the more densely populated, is often spoken of as the heart
of the region and yet it lies in the
extreme south-western corner. As well as cereals, Cappadocia is best known
for potatoes, fruits and wine. Here you can taste some of the best examples of
Turkish Cuisine.
The origins of this unusual region can
be traced to the Tertiary period some 50million years ago, when craters
and chimneys dominated the landscape. Since then huge quantities of volcanic
material have spewed out of the many volcanoes. Forces of erosion have
shaped the incredible and unique Cappadocian tuff-coned landscape. For
hundreds of years men have dug into the soft but firm tuff to create dwellings,
monasteries, churches and underground cities.
The history of Cappadocia began in prehistoric times. Hatti
culture (2500-2000 BC.) had its way during the Bronze Age and in about
the 2nd Millenium BC. the Hittites settled in the
region.
Soon the Assyrians (2000-1800 BC.) had established
their trading posts. Phrygians probably ruled Cappadocia
from 1250 BC., but the Lydians were expelled by
the middle of the 6th century BC by the Persians who ruled until 334 BC.
In AD 17 the region became a Roman province, trade and military routes
were built and urban centers and settlements were encourage. Once
Asia
Minor came under Christian influence, the
first Christian communities appeared in Cappadocia
and those persecuted for their religious beliefs elsewhere sought refuge
in the region. Cappadocia thus became a melting
pot of a variety of ethnic groups, all of which have influenced the culture
and religious beliefs. Basilius the Great
(329-379 AD), bishop of Caesarea (Kayseri), inspired
many religious colonies and for a thousand years an active monastic way
of life endured throughout Cappadocia. Invasions first from Turkmenistan
and Mongolia and then from Seljuks and Ottomans
put an end to the movement.
There are many places to "must see" in Cappadocia like; Fairy Chimneys,
Göreme
Valley National Park and rock churches, underground
cities of Kaymakli, Derinkuyu or Ozkonak, Zelve
Valley, Avanos with its pottery and
carpets,
Uçhisar rock fortress, Ürgüp,
Ihlara valley, Soganli, Sinasos and
Hacibektas. In the summer (from May to November) several alternative
tours can
be arranged: Hot air balloon trip over the chimneys, trekking, walking, horse
riding, motorbike or mountain biking around the valleys. For more information
please contact Mr. . ..
Please Click Here for
Cappadocia Tours.